Some believe that revoking admission is unfair, arguing that an individual has the right to say or post whatever he or she wants on social media. Others, however, point out that free speech does not mean that speech is free from consequences.

Avoid Highly Controversial Posts

Colleges seek a graduating class that is diverse, open, and accepting. No college wants to become the center of a PR nightmare because a group of students committed some heinous act of intolerance, so posts reflecting racism, sexism, or any other sort of intolerance are not only wrong in and of themselves but also create an undesirable image of you as a prospective student.

Include Links to Your (Best) Profiles

Social media can be a powerful tool for helping admission officers get a better view of you as a person. While many admission officers don’t look at student social media as a rule, if you provide them with a link in your application, they’re likely to check your profile out. So if you’ve been engaged in activism or entrepreneurship through your YouTube account, link to it. If you’ve developed a thoughtful and passionate blog, link to it. If your passions really shine on your Instagram account, link to it. You might even consider exploring social media platforms that you likely aren’t on yet, such as LinkedIn, which can provide you with a platform to really help your resume shine and to highlight your strongest skills.

Engage with Colleges

Colleges are often concerned with “yield,” meaning the percentage of accepted students who ultimately enroll. For this reason, expressed interest in a school is an increasingly important factor in college admissions. Between two equally qualified students, the one who has expressed a strong desire to attend is the one more likely to be admitted. In addition to things like taking campus tours or contacting alumni networks, one way of expressing interest is through engaging with colleges online. Follow the schools you want to attend, post on their pages, and whatever you do, DON’T talk smack about a school you might want to get into.

Regardless of your goals – in college and in life – be smart online.

Blog Author: Ashley ZahnAshley joined C2 Education in 2008. Since then, she has been instrumental in developing C2 Education’s unique line of curriculum materials, helped hundreds of students through C2 Education’s college admission essay help service, and shared her expertise in the fields of education and college admissions through the C2 Education blog.

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